About BWPeople HR Horizon 2026
Where technology, talent and human-centric leadership converge to shape the future of work.
The HR landscape continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, with 2026 marking a decisive phase in the integration of advanced AI and human-centric leadership. Over the next few years, organisations will witness AI moving beyond automation to intelligent augmentation in People Management—reshaping talent acquisition, total rewards, performance management, learning & development, workforce analytics, and employee engagement.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion will remain a strategic priority, particularly in emerging economies like India, where inclusive growth is directly linked to innovation and business resilience. Organisations are moving from intent to measurable impact—embedding DEI into leadership KPIs, hiring strategies, and organisational culture.
The Talent Acquisition landscape in 2026 is more competitive and tech-driven than ever. From IT, manufacturing, BFSI, retail, and pharma to emerging digital enterprises, organisations are competing for future-ready talent equipped with AI fluency, adaptability, and cross-functional skills. AI-powered sourcing tools, predictive analytics, skills-based hiring frameworks, and intelligent interview systems are streamlining recruitment, enabling HR professionals to focus on strategic workforce planning and candidate experience.
BW People Horizon 2026 will explore these transformative themes and spotlight the trends shaping the future of Talent Acquisition and Human Capital Management. The conference will convene 60+ CHROs, C-Suite leaders, Talent Acquisition Heads, HR visionaries, and industry experts from corporate India—coming together to share actionable insights that will define the next era of workforce transformation.
Who Should Attend?
Connect with the people leaders, HR innovators, educators, technology providers and business strategists shaping the future of work.
CHROs / TA Heads / HR Leaders
Senior people leaders driving workforce strategy, talent and organisational transformation.
Management & HR Professionals
Professionals shaping people practices, employee experience and business performance.
Academicians, VCs, Chancellors & Deans
Academic leaders and institutions influencing the next generation of talent.
HR Tech Solution Providers
Technology innovators building solutions for modern HR and workforce management.
Policymakers, Thinkers & Educationists
Voices shaping policy, education, employability and the future of work.
Corporate Trainers & Coaches
Trainers, coaches and soft-skills experts developing high-performing teams.
Directors, VPs & Total Rewards Heads
Leadership professionals responsible for rewards, workforce value and employee strategy.
Managers & HR Professionals
HR practitioners across functions looking to exchange ideas and discover new approaches.
Business Development & Growth Leaders
Business leaders connecting people strategy with commercial growth and innovation.
Industry Chambers & Associations
Industry bodies representing communities, businesses and professional ecosystems.
DEI & Advocacy Professionals
DEI leaders, advocates, coaches and trainers building inclusive workplaces.
Entrepreneurs & Start-up Founders
Founders and innovators building the organisations, products and workplaces of tomorrow.
Meet the Jury
A distinguished panel of HR leaders and industry experts bringing experience, insight and an uncompromising perspective to the BW People HR Horizon 2026.
Why Attend BW People Horizon 2026?
Step into a high-impact platform where HR leaders, people strategists, technology innovators and future-of-work thinkers come together to shape what comes next.
Master the Future of HR
Lead the evolving HR landscape with insights on emerging strategies, HR technology and the future of work. Discover what is reshaping people leadership.
Explore the Latest in HR
Discover cutting-edge solutions, tools and ideas designed to address today’s most important people, talent and workplace challenges.
Build Powerful Networks
Connect with hundreds of HR professionals, decision-makers and people leaders through meaningful formal and informal networking.
Learn from Industry Leaders
Gain practical perspectives, leadership lessons and actionable ideas directly from leading HR and business executives.
Research & Knowledge
Access current thinking, research and emerging trends as specialists share their perspectives on the future of people and organisations.
Interact with Thought Leaders
Engage directly with influential HR voices, ask questions and exchange ideas with leaders who are shaping the future of HR.
Meet Our Speakers
Discover the HR leaders, people strategists and transformation experts shaping the future of work.
The Agenda
A day of strategic conversations, future-focused leadership and recognition of excellence in people management.
– 10:00 AM
RegistrationRegistrations
– 10:15 AM
OpeningWelcome and AVs
– 10:30 AM
Opening AddressOpening AddressDr. Annurag Batra — Chairman & Editor-in-Chief, BW Businessworld & Founder, exchange4media
– 10:50 AM
Keynote AddressThe CHRO as a Strategic ArchitectHeadline Speaker — K Ganesh — Serial Entrepreneur, Promoter — BigBasket, BlueStone, HomeLane & Portea Medical; Adjunct Professor — IIM Bangalore & ISB
The evolving role in today’s world.
– 11:40 AM
01 PanelAI, the Future of Talent Ecosystems and Digital TrustSpeakers — Nisha Gopinath, VP & Head HR, India & South Asia, IBM; Dr Amrita Saxena, Lead, Executive Development, APAC — JPMorganChase; Amit Sharma, CHRO, Gokaldas Exports; Sukanya Ramachandran, Head Inclusion, Belonging & People Sustainability, Wipro
Session Chair — Emmanuel David, MD GridSynergies, Retd. Director Tata Management Training Centre
– 12:25 PM
02 PanelBuilding Skills-First OrganisationsSpeakers — Shruti Walia, Head of HR, Cult.fit; Karthik SM, Head HR, India, Malaysia & Emerging Markets, Biocon; Debashish Panigrahi, CHRO, Sriram Properties; Krupa NS, CHRO, Xoriant; Nitin Sachdeva, CHRO, Spice Money
Session Chair — Ruhail Amin, Senior Editor, BW Businessworld & exchange4media
– 1:15 PM
03 PanelBuilding Resilience in Hybrid RealitiesSpeakers — Sajid Iqbal, CHRO, Brigade Group; Sangeeta Shetty, Head People & Culture, Ascendion; Madhuri Mekala, DGM, HCL Tech; Rakhee Biswas, Managing Partner, Spaviatech Law; Shalini Macaden, Vice President HR, LTM
Session Chair — Dr Sanjay Muthal, CEO ArgoLynx
– 2:15 PM
NetworkingNetworking Lunch
– 3:05 PM
04 PanelThe New Employee Value PropositionSpeakers — Sarma Chillara, CHRO, Boeing India; Manmohan Kalsy, CHRO, InBrew Beverages; Adarsh Jain, VP, APAC Wellbeing & Head of Global Vendor Management (Benefits & Wellbeing), Bank of New York (BNY); Suman Singh, Vice President & Head HR, Reliance Foundation
Session Chair — Vijetha Shenoy, People Manager – Talent Engagement, Infosys Finacle
– 3:30 PM
Keynote AddressBeyond the Seat at the Table – CHRO as the Co-PilotHeadline Speaker — S ‘Venky’ Venkatesh — Envisioner & CEO, svenkyvenkatesh.com, Former Group CHRO RPG Group, Arvind Limited & Vedanta Resources
Navigating strategic HR in today’s choppy waters.
– 4:20 PM
05 PanelLeadership Capability in the AI EraSpeakers — Ravi Kumar P, Group CHRO, Puravankara Limited; Monica Mudgal, Senior Vice-President & Head HR & Admin, HealthKart; Swarna Latha, VP People & Culture, Skyroot Aerospace; Shilpi Sahay Choudhury, Vice President HR, ITC; Amol Gupta, Senior Director (Head of People Team, India), BNY
Session Chair — Savi Khanna, Assistant Editor, BW Businessworld
– 5:10 PM
Fireside ChatThe Horizon of Human Capital with the CHRO as Chief Preservation OfficerHeadline Speakers — Nalini George, CHRO, Bangalore International Airport Limited; Charlotte Wolf Tarfa, VP, People & Culture, India & Southeast Asia, The Coca-Cola Company
HR not just as a support function, but the primary guardian of the company’s long-term viability and health.
11th Edition11th BW People HR Excellence Awards 2026
The celebration of excellence begins.
– 5:30 PM
Awards OpeningEmcee Introduces 11th BW People HR Excellence Awards 2026
– 5:45 PM
Awards AddressAwards Address by Dr Annurag BatraDr. Annurag Batra — Chairman & Editor-in-Chief, BW Businessworld and Founder, exchange4media
– 7:30 PM
Awards Ceremony11th Annual BW People HR Excellence Awards Ceremony
Celebrating excellence in strategic people management.
ClosingNetworking Dinner
Register for the Conference
Secure your place at BWPeople HR Horizon 2026 and connect with India’s leading HR leaders, people strategists and workplace innovators.
Be Part of the Conversation
Join an influential community shaping the future of people, culture, leadership and work.
- Connect with senior HR leaders
- Explore emerging HR trends
- Exchange practical insights
- Build valuable professional networks
- Discover HR technology & innovation
Conference Registration
The Legacy of Our Partners in the Past
Celebrating the organisations and partners who have been part of our journey, shaping conversations and advancing the future of people, leadership and work.
Our Partners
Proudly supported by organisations and institutions shaping the future of people, leadership, learning and workplace innovation.
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Connect With Us
Reach out to the right team for nominations, registration, partnerships and industry collaborations.
Aparna Sengupta
Phone: +91 99580 00128
Email: aparna@businessworld.in
Anjeet T.
Phone: +91 98181 22217
Email: anjeet@businessworld.in
Somyajit Sengupta
Phone: +91 98182 47444
Email: somyajit@businessworld.in
Rajeev Chauhan
Phone: +91 98118 20301
Email: rajeev.chauhan@businessworld.in